KABUL: (PAN): The US ambassador has described the August 20 presidential and provincial council elections as a key milestone in Afghanistans democracy.
Karl W. Eikenberry said on Wednesday the United States was working to support credible, secure and inclusive elections that reflected the will of the Afghan people.
In a statement mailed to Pajhwok Afghan News, the US embassy said it did not support or oppose any candidate in the upcoming elections.
"Because we respect this process and are strictly neutral, at no time has any member of the United States Embassy encouraged any candidate to join or support another candidate, withdraw from the race or take any position in a future Afghan administration," the press release added.
President Barack Obamas position is clear, according to the release, which said: Each nation gives life to democracy in its own way, grounded in the traditions of its own people."
The statement reiterated: "The United States does not support or oppose any particular presidential or provincial council candidate. Instead, we support the right of the people of Afghanistan to choose their own leaders.
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